201 Wharncliffe rezoning approved by City Council
Project: Elmwood Gateway to the Coves
After considering comments from City staff, the Planning Committee and the public, on November 17 City Council voted to support the rezoning of 201 Wharncliffe to Open Space.
The official purpose of the rezoning is to permit passive recreational open space on the property and to provide a pedestrian entryway/viewpoint to the Coves Environmentally Significant Area. This entryway would connect with other publicly-owned lands which contain a trail between the west end of the property and Cove Road.
The east end of the property includes the site previously occupied by the Ah-So Gardens Restaurant. The new zoning designation recommended for that portion of the property is Open Space (Class 1). This will allow typical park features such as benches, play structures, parking and others.
The west end of the property contains a wooded ravine, upland and slope area which are part of the Coves Environmentally Significant Area. The recommended new zoning designation for this portion of the property is Open Space (Class 5) - the most restrictive open space designation that acknowledges it as a part of London's Natural Heritage System. This will ensure that area is protected from any future development beyond a hiking trail.
Friends of the Coves would like to thank Council for recognizing the natural value of this site and ensuring it will be protected, as well as for recognizing the need for more public greenspace around the Coves Environmentally Significant Area. Thank you also to other groups and individuals who spoke out in support of this effort.
For more information about this topic
(including a map, past news and a concept plan for the property)
see Greenspace -> Elmwood Gateway to the Coves